Bachelor of Divinity
News & Stories
Five years
Part-time | Hybrid
September 2026.
La Faculté Notre-Dame
Overview
The Ecclesiastical Bachelor of Divinity is a five-year, part-time degree in Catholic theology, studied by collaborative distance learning. It sets out and examines Christian doctrine through the sacred Scriptures, the works of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and the documents of the Magisterium. The degree is established by the Holy See, a signatory to the 1999 Bologna Declaration, under the norms governing Higher Institutes of Religious Sciences (HIRS). It is conferred through Maryvale HIRS by the Faculté Notre-Dame in Paris, under the authority of the Holy See. Based at Maryvale in Birmingham, it draws students from across the United Kingdom and around the world. The programme gives an academic formation in Catholic theology and forms students for a fuller part in the life and mission of the Church. It develops the judgement to weigh different theological positions, helps each person discover their vocation in the Church, and nourishes the spiritual life through growth in understanding. Students give around 15 to 20 hours a week to their study.
Adults aged 18 to 75 from all walks of life, married, single or religious, who want a grounding in Catholic theology. Intended for Catholics, and open to anyone comfortable with Maryvale's Catholic ethos.
Requirements
Open to all with no specific academic requirements.
Computer with suitable internet access, webcam, and microphone.
Evidence of competence in English may be required.
Course Fees
Six steps from first thought to enrolment. Take them at your own pace, and ask for help at any point.
2026 – 2027
£3,580
2027 - 2028
TBC
Structure & Modules
The programme begins in September. Students work from home and write six essays a year. Grades come from the essays and an examination at the end of each year.
The content covers:
- History of Philosophy
- Systematic Philosophy
- Holy Scripture
- Fundamental Theology
- Dogmatic Theology
- Moral Theology
- Spiritual Theology
- Liturgical and Sacramental Theology
- Patrology and the History of the Church
- Canon Law
- Biblical Catechesis
Programme Director
Fr Michael Cullinan
Deputy Director, Maryvale HIRS
Deputy Director of Maryvale HIRS and a moral theologian specialising in the ethics of St Paul. On the Maryvale staff since 1995.
Course Tutors
Dr Jack Bull
BDiv Deputy Director
Assistant Director of the Bachelor of Divinity and a scholar of early Christian literature who teaches Church Latin and Koine Greek at FE level.
Rev Dr Martin Onuoha
Director, Programme for Overseas Priests in the British Isles; Lecturer in Dogmatic Theology
Lecturer in Dogmatic Theology since 2013 and, from September 2026, Director of Maryvale's Programme for Overseas Priests in the British Isles.
Deacon Dr Harry Schnitker
Director, Maryvale HIRS
Director of Maryvale HIRS since January 2026. Senior Lecturer in Church History and a member of the HIRS Permanent Council.
Rev Dr Robert Letellier
Lecturer in Sacred Scripture
A lecturer in Sacred Scripture at Maryvale since 1993 and a member of the HIRS Permanent Council.
Supervision & Assessment
Each module is assessed by one or more assignments and a written or oral examination. The year's grade is based on the essays and the end-of-year examination.
Successful completion leads to the award of the Ecclesiastical Bachelor of Divinity, validated by the Faculté Notre-Dame de Paris. Within the structure of the programme, students may also leave with a Maryvale Certificate after Year 2 or a Maryvale Diploma after Year 4.
How to Apply
To apply, please download the BDiv application form and other documents. Once submitted to Maryvale Institute, your application will be processed by the Admissions Committee (with supporting documentation, such as references) which can take up to six weeks.
Application Resources
Accessibility
If you have a disability or any long-term condition that impacts on your day-to-day life, please download the Accessibility Form below, open and edit it in Acrobat Reader, and email or post the completed document to the Accessibility Coordinator (address included on the form), to ensure we can give you the best possible support during your course of study. Disclosing a disability will not be a factor in Institute’s decision as to whether or not to offer you a place on the course. However, it is important that the Institute knows if you have any specialist needs in order to provide you with appropriate support and facilities. This information will remain strictly confidential. For further information, please contact us to speak to the Accessibility Coordinator.
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